Port of Tampa’s Container Terminal takes first place in regional competition

TAMPA—The Tampa Port Authority (TPA) is pleased to announce that the Port of Tampa Container Terminal has placed first in the development category in the 17th Annual Future of the Region Awards.

The annual awards luncheon, hosted by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council today at Tampa’s Quorum Hotel, honored the top project entries that demonstrate strong regional qualities in the following categories: community service; cultural/sports/recreation; environmental; infrastructure; public education and development. An independent awards jury reviewed each entry on the criteria of regional quality of life benefit; benefit to environment; innovation; cost-effectiveness; capacity for continuing impact and regional benefit.

Through strategic investments by the Tampa Port Authority, the Port of Tampa Container Terminal initiative has emerged in the last few years as a major catalyst for Central Florida’s international trade. The container terminal, its efficient operations and ambitious expansion plans represent the port’s emergence into the global container trade and its competitive vision. The port’s board of commissioners gave approval this week for the next phase of the terminal’s augmentation, an investment of at least $17 million.

“We are very excited that our commitment to develop the Port of Tampa into a worldclass container facility and our regional approach to growth have been recognized at such a high and prestigious level, and we thank the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council for honoring this and so many other outstanding projects that make Tampa Bay a fantastic place to live and work,” Richard Wainio, Tampa’s port director and CEO, said.

The Tampa Port Authority (www.tampaport.com) administers Florida’s largest and one of the nation’s most diversified seaports. The Port of Tampa is the largest economic engine in West and Central Florida. With more than 8 million people within 100 miles, the port serves one of the largest consumer markets in the Southeast U.S.